Kitchenette



odi. 22, 1929. L, s, GMLMQWE 1,732,359

KITCHENETTE Filed Jan. 2l, 1925 3 SheevlZS-Sheel l FLouR CANNED SPUDS lGOODS l i i 1 1 DISH PAN u /I 23 v f a AoRA/EY.

ct. 22, 1929 n.. s. GHLMORE KITCHENETTE Filed Jan. 2l, 1925 3SheetS-Sheeb Z0 30 /ol INVENTOR. 1.0!/ SHIELDS Gf-ILMORE ATTORNEY.

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@m lli QQ., L. s. @LMORE KITCHENETTE Filed Jan. 2l, 1925 3 Sheets-SheetRm nu WG. S U L m H S U O L A TTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 22, 1929 PATENT OFFICE LOU SHIELDS GILMORE, OF LOSANGELES, CALIFORNIA KITCHENETTE Application filed January 21, 1925.Serial No. 3,777.

This invention relates tokitchenettes which are adapted to be used indwellings or to be placed upon automobiles and conveyed from place toplace.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved devicewhich while lcompact and readily transported, is nevertheless,thoroughly efiicient in use and is strong and durable.

One of the specific objects of the invention is to provide an improvedkitchenette wherein a casing is provided withA closures therefor andwherein the closures coact with the casing to form a dust proof and airtight container.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cabinetwherein a. novel insulation means is provided for a refriger ating icecompartment.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automobilekitchenette including a refrigerator wherein means are providedtoiresiliently support ice contained in the refrigerating compartment,thereby preventing rattling of the ice when the automobile is in motion.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved dripreceiver for refrigerators whereby the drip from the nieltin g ice maybe utilized to give added refrigeration.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved support forthe closure of a portable kitchenette whereby the closure in onepositionmay serve as a. work table or dining table and wherein supporting legsare provided with improved means which allow themto collapse.

A further object of the invention is to providea compartment kitchenettewith a drawer therein having a collapsible handle whereby the drawer may,Serve as a water bucket. y

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hingedconstruction which can be cheaply made but at the same time will afforddust tight protection.'-

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription taken I0 in connection with the accompanying draw- -ettes orcabinetsl`A at 10.

ings wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention as applied toan automobile; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the kitchenetteopened; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary central sectional view showing the iceand drinking water compartments; Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4, Fig.3; Fig. 5 is a Section online 5-5, Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a partial sectiontaken on line 6 6, Fig. 5 showing the tapered receptacle; Fig. 7 isaperspective view of the combined drawer and water bucket; Figs. 8 and 9are fragmentary elevations in cross sections showing details of the legconstruction; Fig. -10 is a central sectional view partly in elevationshowing the construction of the drip receiver; Fig. 11 is a section online l1-11, Fig. 10; Fig 12 is a perspective view. partly in section,showing the` hinges for'the cover; Fig. 13 is a sectional view of thehinge in another position; Fig. 14 is a cross section showing theresilient dust excluded IlangegFig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14showing the closure seated; Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional detailshowing the relation of the closures when in the lowest position; Fig.17 is a section on line 17--17, Fig. 16 ;v Fig. 18 is a perspective viewof one of the drawers and Fig. 19 is a modified form of the drawer shownin Fig. 18.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, I have shown one of mykitchen- This cabinet is adapted for use 'for a plurality of purposesand it is particularly adapted for use for mounting upon the runningboard of an automobile and for use in small apartments.

Referring again to the drawing it will be seen that the cabinetcomprises aback portion 11 and bottom portion 12. In the embodiment ofmy invention shown in the drawing, I have shown acabinet which isparticularly adapted to be placed upon the running board 14 of anautomobile 15. This type of cabinet is provided at each end with asupporting leg 16. Each leg comprises a body portion bent to form aninverted U. The legs are preferably secured to the running board 14 bybolts 17 Mounted upon the lower front edge of the bottom 12, I show acover 18. This cover is provided With end flanges 19 and with a frontflange 20. The cover is paneled as at 21 by pressing out the material ofwhich it is composed.

I have preferred to construct the various portions of my kitchenettefrom sheet metal and on account of the tendency of this material to flexand bend, I find that it is very essential that the panels be providedas shown at 21 and also in other parts as Will be later described. Inorder that the cover 18 may be supported in a substantially horizontalposition so that it will serve as a Work table or as a dining table, Ihingedly mount a leg 22 at each end thereof. Each of the legs as shownis mounted upon a pivot 23 which is arranged in the end flanges 19 ofthe cover 18. When in service position the cover is supported as shownin Fig. 2 with the legs 22 in vertical position. lVhen the cover is tobe closed, the legs are swung about the pivot 23 until they are receivedin the flexible clips 24 which are secured upon the cover by suitablefastening means. This fastening means is shown in detail in Fig. 8 Whereit will be noted that the legs 22 are provided with recesses whichreceive beads 25 formed upon the clips 24. The flanges 19 and 20 arepreferably doubled by folding upon themselves as shown in Fig. 9.

A closure 30 is shown as secured along the top rear wall 11 of thecabinet. In devices of this nature, it is essential that the hingedconstruction be such that the likelihood of Idust entering the containerwill be reduced to a minimum and in order to bring about this desiredeffect, I bend and roll the upper edge of the wall 11 as shown at 31.The adjacent portion of the closure 30 is also bent and rolled as at 32to correspond to the bent and rolled portion 31. At each end of theclosure a flange 33 is provided and the eX- tremities 34 of each flangeoverlies the adj acent. portion of the hinge to prevent entrance ofdust. When assembling the closure one of the portions 34 may be bentback after which the interlocking parts may be slid together and theportion 34 may be then returned to position.

In order to afford a dust proof and air tight kitchenette I provideresilient member 36 on the upper edge of the end Walls and the frontwalls of the container as shown in Figs. 14 and l5. This resilientflange comprises a i' body part which may be soldered or welded as at 37to the container. Above the Welded portion 37 is another portion 38which is normally substantially parallel with the adjacent wall of thecontainer. The portion 38 is connected by a curved portion with anotherplaneI portion 39, likewise arranged substantially parallel to thecontainer wall. From the portion 39 the flanges extend outwardly toforma portion which will be engaged by the vclosure and cover.

In Fig. 14 it will be noted that as the closure 30 moves to closedposition it first strikes upon the inclined portion thus forcing thisportion against the outer Wall of the container. YVhen the closure isseated contact is had along three spaced lines, namely 40, 41 and 42between the closure and the resilient flange to thus give a triple sealwhich is highly effective in excluding dust. Arranged within thekitchenette I sh`0w a vertically extending partition 45.

Adjacent the upper portion of this partition 45 I arrange therefrigerating compartment 46 which is here shown as an ice chest. Theice chest is provided adjacent the partition 45 and at the front andrear with insulation material 47 preferably in the form of ground cork,with metal plates 48 serving as a lining for the insulation. At one endof the ice compartment 46 the insulation is omitted and a singlethickness of sheet metal 49 is provided. A drinking water container 50is inserted with its Wall 51 in direct engagement with the wall 49 ofthe ice chest 46. At the front and rear of the drinking water receptacle5() the insulation is provided at the end of the ice receptacle as shownat 53.

The ice chest is provided with a bottom 54 and upon this bottom Iarrange a corrugated filler 55 of metal or other material. Upon thefiller I place a metal plate 57 which may be soldered to prevent leakageabout it. Insulation 57 may be arranged adjacent the filler if desired.A drain pipe 58 passes through the bottom of the ice chest to conductthe water away from the chest.

The cold Water in the compartment 5() in effect acts as added insulationto assist in keeping the ice. The refrigeration is dry as there is nocirculation of air and all cooling effect is carried on withoutcontamination, as food in one compartment does not affect food inanother compartment. This effect is increased since the metal wallsconduct the cold from the ice compartment and from the fact that coldair goes down.

In order to support the ice so that it will remain in position withoutobjectionable shifting about, I provide a resilient support for the icewhich comprises a fiexble metal plate 59. This metal plate is dishedupwardly and the natural resiliency thereof is such that as theautomobile moves about the ice is cushioned. A plurality of U-shapedsharpened spursI 60 are arranged at spaced points on the plate 59. Thesemembers eugagc the ice and hold it in place upon the resilient support.

The drinking water container' 50 is of greater depth than the ice chest46 and is provided at its lower end with a faucet 6l. Beneath thedrinking water compartment 50 I arrange a corrugated filler 62 and apartition member 63. The corrugated fillers 55 and 62 serve to preventsweating since the j corrugated cardboard provides dead air cells sothat no appreciable amount of condensation forms.

In the compartment formed between the partition 63 and the bottom 12 Iplace a tray 65. This tray 65 may have an end 66 and may be dished atthe bottom portion as at 67 to receive cups or in lieu thereof the traymay be as shown at 65I in Fig. 19 where the tray takes the form of areceptacle for holding silverware.

The ice water dripping through the discharge 58 passes to a driprefrigerator 7 0 which is shown in detail in Figs. l() and 11. This dripreceptacle comprises a bottom portion, front, side and rear portions asshown. The top of the drip/receptacle is provided with a sliding closure71. One end of the upper portion of the drip receptacle is permanentlyclosed by a closure member 72 which may be soldered in place. Thisclosure 72 is secured beneath a beaded over portion 73 of the side wallsof the drip container 70. The closure 72 is turned over as at 74 to forma pair of channelways in which the edges of. the sliding closure 71fits. Cooperating corrugations 75 serve to guide the closure 71 and tostifen it. The drip container 70 is in the nature of a drawer which isslidably fitted within the kitchenette. The closure 71 is provided witha dished portion 76 which serves as a guide so that the watei` will findits way through the punched holes 78 into the interior of the dripcontainer. The hole 78 -it will be noted is punched so as to providejagged spurs since I have found that the water will not splash outthrough a jagged hole as readily as it passes through a single clear cutaperture.

The closure 71 is folded upon itself and engages with a tight fit theupper end 79 of the drip container 70. A tube 80 which is open at itsupper and lower end is secured within the drip vcontainer and has itslower end extending through the bottom 81 of the drip container asshown. The only discharge from the container 70 is through the tube 80and it will be apparent that the container will continually be filled toa point approximating the top of the tube 80. The lower end of the tube80 communicates with a recess in the bottom of the kitchenette.

I may place products which I wish to main` tain at a low temperature.

The drawer 84 like the other drawers is made of metal, and is providedwith a handle member 85 which is pivoted at 86 to one wall of the drawerand may be fitted through an aperture in the opposite wall as shown inFig. 7 to afford a handle. In this condition the container may be usedas a water bucket. When the handle is not desired the outer walls of thedrawer 84 may be sprung apart and the handle may be moved to the dottedline position shown in Fig. 7.

Beneath the ice chest 46 I arrange a drawer 87. This drawer will receivea refrigeration from the adjoining ice chest and in this drawer 87 I maystore eggs or other articles. The bottom of the drawer may be providedwith a removable filler 88 which is provided with cushioning means forthe reception of eggs. If desired, I may keep butter or other articlesin the drawer 87. Beneath the drawer 87 I arrange a pair of slidablecom-I partments 88. These compartments may be used for the reception ofsugar and Hour and for other purposes if desired.

Beneath the partition 45 and the end of the kitchenette I provide acompartment 90. This compartment may have a front portion 91 in whichcanned goods and potatoes may be stored. A flange 92 may be arranged ateach end of the compartment to receive a dishpan 93 in which otherarticles may be stored. The kitchenette above the compartment 9() isshown as provided with another compartment which is adapted to be closedby a hinged cover 94. This compartment may be provided with ventilatedperforations 95 and in the compartments bread or lunch may be provided.A separate removable container shown in dotted lines at 96 may beprovided for placing in the compartment 94. Above the compartment 94 Iprovide a receptacle 97 for various articles such as soap, towels, etc.,while a hinged towel rack 98 may be secured adjacent the partition 45.This towel rack is preferably pivoted so that it can fold beneath theclosure 30.

The drawers 84, 87 and 88', as well as the drip container 70 arepreferably tapered (as shown in Fig. 6) so that they may be more readilypositioned and will afford a tight fit thus preventing rattling.

When my kitchenette is used in places where it is exposed to hightemperatures, as for example when driving through desert sections, I mayplace sheets of paper or old newspapers in the dead air spaces,previously mentioned to afford further insulation.

The kitchenette when secured upon an automobile is preferably providedwith spacing blocks 99 as shown in Fig. 5. These spacing blocks arepreferably made of soft rubber so that the finish of the automobile willnot be scratched or marred. With my invention the space isfullyconserved and this is of great n value in View of the limited spaceavailable on the running board of automobiles and other places Where mylnventlon 1s used.

AClosures 100 and 101 are provided for the ice Water receptacle and theice chest. These closures are preferably made as shown in Fig. 5 and areprovided with insulation material. When in folded position, the flanges33 on the closure fit over the adjacent portion of the cover 18 to holdthe latter in place. When in the closed position a dead air space isprovided between the front of the kitchenette and the adj acentiportionof lthe cover 18. The partition 45 as Well as the partitions 102,` 103,104, etc., extend beyond the adjacent surface of the kitchenette asshown at 4.5 so that in effect when the cover 18 is closed a pluralityof dead air cells are provided. These dead air cells serve to maintain alower temperature. The closure 30 also forms dead air cells over the topof the ice chest and the drinking container as shown in Fig. 3.

Each of the drawers may be provided with a handle member which is shownin Fig. 10

at 106. This handle member comprises a loop having bent over ends asshown in Fig. 10. These bent over ends fit Within slits 107. The handleis preferably arranged Within a beaded portion 108 as shown.

It Will be readily seen that the ice chest may be used as a tirelesscooker and that the drinking Water compartment may receive hot liquidswhich it Will maintain in the hot condition. For picnic parties roast'fowl or game may be placed in the ice chest together with a cookingiron and hot coffee may be laced in the drinking Water container an bothmeat and coffee will remain hot for many hours.

Another advantage of my construction is that the Water in the dripcontainer being melted ice is soft and is very useful in camp forWashing purposes.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provideda kitchenette Which can be economically manufactured, which is durableand which is highly eficient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In a kitchenette a body having an ice chest therein, means on certainsides of said ice chest to afford heat insulation, a discharge .openingfor Water from said ice receptacle, a

drip container beneath said ice receptacle a drinkingk water containeradjacent said lce receptacle, said drinking water container being madeof metal and having one entire wall in direct engagement with theadjacent Wall of the ice chest and the drip container.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto ax my signature.

. LOU SHIELDS GILMORE.

